Shawnee woman indicted in child pornography case involving pastor

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a Shawnee woman on 19 counts relating to child sexual exploitation.

Kim Morava

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a Shawnee woman on 19 counts relating to child sexual exploitation.

Melissa R. Loman, 33, of Shawnee, was arrested earlier this month by the FBI, along with a Shawnee pastor, Jerry D. Barham, 66, as part of an ongoing investigation.

According to documents released Wednesday, Loman has been formally indicted in U.S. District Court for the Western District on counts involving production of child pornography and aiding and abetting.

The indictment shows Loman is accused of using a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for purposes of producing visual depictions through pictures or videos and then transmitting those through text messages to Barham’s cell phone for financial benefit. Court documents allege the incidents occurred between April 19, 2011 and Feb. 1, 2013.

Loman could face no less than 15 years and not more than 30 years in prison, and be ordered to pay a $250,000 fine, or both, for the pornography counts. She could face no less than five years and up to life in prison for aiding and abetting.

Loman remains jailed in a federal facility.

Barham, also arrested and jailed, has been under investigation and further information is awaited on the status of his case. There's been no indictment or court action involving Barham released as of Wednesday.